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Original modem

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by classicgto1

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I installed a new modem that, unfortunatly, stopped working, so I returned it to the store. I put my original modem back in. When I bought my PC, Win 98SE was the only OS on the hard drive. I bought a larger hard drive, partitioned it, reinstalled 98SE on C: and XP Home Edition on D:. XP works fine with the original modem but 98SE, the original OS that was used with that modem when I bought the PC, cannot identify it.I've gone into Device Manger, checked all the settings, IRQ's, I/O addresses, etc.. and somehow the modem got set to COM 5. How can I change the modem settings so it will work with 98SE again?
Thanks, Jim

3 replies

by thechas

Depending on the chipset used on the 2 modems, there may be different answers.

Let's hope that the simple sollution works.

When you installed the new modem, it likely replaced some of the files and registry settings required for the old modem.

Make sure that you have the latest drivers for the modem on hand.
Start by going to Control Panel / Modems.
Remove ALL modems that show here.
Next, shut down the PC.
If the modem manufacture recommends installing the drivers before installingthe modem card, remove the modem from the PC.
Start the PC, and install the driver.
Shut down, and install the modem card.
Start up the PC.
Windows should detect teh new (old) modem.
Direct the driver wizzard to the corect folder for the modem driver files.
Everything should work now.

XP does a better job of handling missing devices and driver updates than W98 does. That is why you did not have to go through this in XP.

Chas

by classicgto1

The old modem is the original one that came with my PC and the drivers were already installed so I don't have the specific drivers on a floppy or CD for it since it was pre-installed. If I look for and find current updated drivers for this modem would 98SE accept them since they would'nt be the
original drivers that came with the PC? Now, you said if the modem manufacturer recommends installing the drivers before installing the modem card, remove the modem from the PC. Like I stated earlier, since this is the original modem where would I find the specific drivers for it?
Jim

by thechas

Hello Jim,

I will answer your new questions in the order asked.

The old modem is the original one that came with my PC and the drivers were already installed so I don't have the specific drivers on a floppy or CD for it since it was pre-installed.

Removeing all modems from Control Panel / Modems should work properly for this.
Have no modems in the PC when you remove the modems from the Modem applet within Control Panel.
Re-boot twice with no modems, then shut down, and re-install your old modem.
Windows SHOULD find the original drivers, and set up the modem properly.

If I look for and find current updated drivers for this modem would 98SE accept them since they would'nt be the original drivers that came with the PC?

Newer drivers almost always work better than the older driver. Just make sure that you get the W98 or W9X version of the driver file.

Now, you said if the modem manufacturer recommends installing the drivers before installing the modem card, remove the modem from the PC. Like I stated earlier, since this is the original modem where would I find the specific drivers for it?

I normally use the "reference" drivers from the modem controller chip manufacture.
Look at the ICs on the modem, and download the driver from the manufactures web site.
Unfortunately, with mergers and spinoffs, it is dificult to tell you where to go unless you provide the name on the modem chip.
www.modemhelp.org is one resource
www.driverguide.com is another.There may be a manufactures name and model, or an FCC ID number on the modem card.
Either can help you out at the above web sites.

Chas

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